11 Answers

It depends on what type of cancer she has first of all, Then there is the ? what stage and is she going to have radiation? if so then usually it can take a week but like I said depends on the treatment and cancer..

The new anti-nausea drugs are miraculous. The main side effect nowadays is fatigue, and depending on the chemical, red pee for a while. She may have food cravings or dislikes too. The nurses can peg, almost to the hour, when her hair may start falling out.

Personally, I chose to go bald and simply wear cute hats or cotton head scarves. Some of my friends bought wigs, but I found them hot and itchy.

I also told myself that the modern treatments were going to get rid of the cancer, my hair would grow back and wasn’t it wonderful that I wasn’t diagnosed 30 years ago.

I drove myself to and from my chemo (45 minutes each way.

Everyone is different, every cancer is unique and every treatment is custom-designed.

My sister received chemotherapy for 5 years. She always scheduled them for Friday afternoons so that she had the weekend to recuperate from the fatigue and other immediate effects. I don’t think she ever missed a day of work, at least in the first few years.

Just FYi she is stage 2, breast cancer, had a tumor which they removed, and after the chemo, at some point she will have radiation. She’s having 8 sessions of chemo – every other week, so it will be a 16 week length of time. they said the hair falls out after 17 days – if that means starts falling out or will have fallen out totally i’m not sure.

I would say from working in the field that along with chemo she will probably get some kind of steroid such as decadron .She will loose her hair, but I would say just shave it all off and let it grow back..Most of my patience’s hair came out but not all the way .. When they just shaved it all off and when it grew out it was so beautiful..It is good that she has a good support system and just keep asking questions..There is no stupid question…Ask about her blood counts and keep up with them, have them explain them to you and her..Breast Cancer survival rate is like 95% now and they caught it early.. Positive thinking is good key and tool..

I had chemo for cervical cancer in ‘99 so it was a different drug protocol, I’m sure, but the first thing I noticed was feeling euphoric the same day, then feeling like I’d been run over by a truck the next. I learned to take a very strong gum with me to sessions so I wouldn’t have to taste it. (No, it wasn’t oral, it was IV but it still permeated the tissues enough to taste). The shaved head idea is a good one, taking care of hair when you’re exhausted is a pain. The anti-nausea drugs they have now are wonderful.
My daughter supported and helped me all the way through and it meant more to me than I can say. Green light to both of you, make sure she rests alot and stays hydrated. Good luck!

I have someone very close to me who is going through chemo right now. So it honestly depends on the type of chemo someone is receiving. Ultimately each person is different so reaction times depend on the person and how their body interacts with the drug. Also if the person is extremely sick not all the reactions may be from the chemo they be the disease itself.

@jca: The hair issue is interesting. The roots weaken and you notice clumps in your hairbrush and pillow . Then you (or I) simply pull out the rest or shave it. I liked the hard-boiled egg look better than the few dry wispy hair look.

I had radiation also. The nurses there were also able to predict, to the day, when the skin around the breast was going to look sunburned. My only noticeable issue was fatigue, but it was not debilitating. I allowed myself to watch stupid daytime TV and sleep whenever I felt like it. My hair grew back curlier, which I loved, but reverted back to its old messy shape in two years.

As far as eating goes, your mother’s stomach will advise or what and how much to eat. Hydration is always a good idea, but she doesn’t have to force water down her gullet if she doesn’t feel like it.

Treatment is unpleasant but bearable. The best of luck to your mother.